The Air Force has awarded a Bronze Star Medal to SMSgt. Shawn Ricchuito, with the 886th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, for his actions while deployed to support operations in Southwest Asia. Ricchuito served as chief of the 379th Expeditionary CE Squadron, part of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, which supports operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ricchuito shepherded 240 personnel from 35 installations during four air and space expeditionary force rotations. (Ramstein photo release by SSgt. Jocelyn Rich)
A semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone shot down an air-to-air target in a Dec. 8 test supported by the U.S. Air Force, a notable milestone in the development of the loyal wingman-type drones that will join the fleets of the USAF, other American services, and allies and adversaries.

